9.13.2011

good old george...

What an accomplished man good old George Washington was. I mean obviously there is the whole, father of our country, first president thing, but, as with every person, there was so much more. On our trip to D.C. last week, we visited Mount Vernon, home of George Washington and I learned an awful lot. I don't know if that is a credit to Mount Vernon and their educational displays, or a testimonial of my age and lack of ability to recall old knowledge.

I have wandered through castles in Europe, marveled at the opulence that is Versailles, stared in awe at the beauty within the walls of the Vatican, felt my jaw drop when I saw the Hearst Castle and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Yep, I have seen my fair share of homes and properties, but I felt most at ease, comfortable and at peace, while I wandered the grounds at Mount Vernon. I loved it.

This is the front...

and this is the view out the back...

I mean come on. Didn't you just relax a little bit? I could sit on the back porch and look at that view all day. This was a working farm, an 8,000 acre plantation divided into five farms. Did you know about this natural way to bleach clothing?

Can you imagine riding around in this thing?

You could still smell the horses, strange I know, but I'm not the only one who thought so.

I didn't see the entire property because the humidity was melting me, but I will on my next trip.

I was born and raised in the city. I live in the 6th largest city in this nation but, after this visit, I kinda feel like I could be a country farm type girl...

18 comments:

This place was indeed impressive. George ran 8,000 acres at the time of his death. The caretakers have done an outstanding job and there are now thousands of articles that once belonged to Washington in the house and/or museum (on the grounds).

Okay...a must see on my next visit there! Yes, I learned the bleaching hint a long time ago. Hmm, I have just finished a hot wash of other half's unmentionables, wonder if the neighbors will mind if I hang them on the bushes :)

One year we took a trip back to see, Washington DC, Civil War Battlefields plus a Baltimore Orioles Baseball game. My oldest son was reading the map and saw we were close to Mt. Vernon. We went and even though the day was hot (July) it was a misty morning and I too fell in love with the home, land and view. I was just amazed by the view out back as you. Fabulous. Many places we visited were wonderful, awe inspiring and historic but there is something about Mt. Vernon that has always stay with me.

I did relax when I saw that actually, it has such an american charm to it that we'll always connect with I think!p.s. thanks for comment on my sponsors post, it's something I really try for! (to keep them as what i would buy, def the only way to be genuine while having sponsors i think..i try i try!)

The idea of hanging whites on plants to bleach them is incredible. It makes me think that my Grandmother was doubly genius as she used to put the tea towels on the rosemary bush beside the back door to dry. They became infused with the smell but I'm sure they also got a little whiter too.

J - it is so on our list of things to do - and if you saw the stack of books I just brought home about our man George, you would laugh. We are obviously studying American History this year :-) Rather - over here- we go for the full immersion effect - LOL! There was no time for a visit there this last trip to MD, we did the Boston Tea Party instead (only in Chestertowne, MD - not Boston - it was also fabulous though!) This and Williamsburg, VA are on Bray;s "list". Now I REALLY want to go!

it is so pretty there. As kids we used to always go on field trips with our schools. So much more appreciation when you're older though. Funny, I just did a post about loving the farm life too --I'm with you on the not really wanting to do the work though :)

i wanna go! have been to the same places you mentioned (didn't know you went to biltmore) and never to my own capital! i really enjoyed boston and philly historic sites so def. on my list o'places to go!! loved the photos.